Yet another setback for President Donald Trump’s proposal to curb H-1B visa extensions! The Trump administration’s reported plan for the changes in H1B visa rules faces opposition from Congressmen. The advocacy groups and a few US lawmakers criticised that the new plan could drain America of talent, due to the self- deportation of an estimated 500,000-750,000 Indian Americans if the new rules come into force.
Tulsi Gabbard, an Influential Democratic Congresswoman, said: “Imposing these draconian restrictions on H-1B visa holders will tear families apart, drain our society of talent and expertise, and damage our relationship with an important partner, India.
“This proposal could lead to the deportation of an estimated 500,000 to 750,000 Indian H-1B visa holders, many of whom are small business owners and job creators who are helping to build and strengthen our US economy. This brain drain will stifle innovation and decrease our ability to compete in the global 21st century economy,” Gabbard added.
The proposal that is reportedly being drafted by the Department of Homeland Security leaders is a part of the President‘s “Buy American, Hire American” initiative.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has reportedly sounded alarm over the Trump administration’s proposal to deny extensions of H-1B visas to green card applicants. It opined that the move would leave no choice to the professionals but to be deported or return to the home country.
According to Raja Krishnamoorthi, Indian-American Congressman, the government should continue improving advanced training for domestic workforce on priority. But, curbing on H-1B visa extensions would kneecap the country’s economy. Besides, the companies may further prefer to offshore jobs, instead of making investments in the United States.
Krishnamoorthi said, “I hope the administration immediately rejects this proposal.”
According to Congressman Ro Khanna, the proposal was “anti- immigrant”. He tweeted saying, “My parents came here on green cards. So did @sundarpichai, @elonmusk, @satyanadella. Trump is saying to immigrants and their kids we don’t have a place in America. It’s not just wrong. It’s dumb. Mr President, would America really be greater without us?” he asked in a tweet.
The H-1B program allows companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals by offering them temporary US visas. This scheme helps the country fill the areas with shortages of qualified American workers. However, the Trump administration has been putting the scheme down since last January.
